The following is from Dave Marshall, canal manager at Stroud District Council.

The canal is a wildlife haven, public park, commuter route and something everyone can be involved in – all rolled into one.

And with 10 miles of canal between Saul and Brimscombe, it’s on a lot of people’s doorsteps. Thousands of people use it every week, for boating, volunteering, relaxing or just getting to work.

But we’re keen to get more people involved in our series of taster events and activities to engage, enthuse and excite everyone about this fantastic project. There is something for everyone, on and off the water, and it’s all free!

Visit a Mill - Sunday, May 12

Bug Bioblitz - Thursday, May 30

Green Spaces Walk - Saturday, June 1

Nicer on the Water - Saturday, June 1

Photography Walks - Wednesdays June 5 and 12

Museum in the Park - Sunday, June 9

Places and Buildings – Saturday, June 22

Make a note in your diary. For more information, visit

cotswoldcanalsconnected.org

If you fancy trying your hand as a canal volunteer but couldn’t because of work, we’ve now started a Sunday volunteering group. This meets on the first Sunday of each month, 9.30am at Bond’s Mill, Stonehouse. Wear old clothes and bring lunch. Spend anything from half an hour to the whole day!

Keep a look out for our new Cotswold Canals Connected logo! It’s intended to be fun and instantly recognisable. Each of the many organisations involved in the canal project has its own logo, but this is the one for the whole project. We hope you like it!